Addressing the Factors affecting the Levels of Social Security Contribution and delivery of Quality Social Security for Domestic Employees in Zambia in the period 2010-2020.

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to assess the factors affecting the Levels of Social Security Contribution and delivery of quality Social Security for Domestic Employees in Zambia: The Case of Domestic Workers in Lusaka’s Urban Area (2010-2020). The study utilized a Case study design to carry out this investigation, owing to the fact that the study endeavoured to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. Further, the study took a mixed method approach of investigation (qualitative and quantitative) to collect data from a sample of 500 domestic workers in Lusaka’s urban area. It was revealed that there was low level social security contribution and compliance based on the lack of knowledge on social security among the study participants. This simply depicts a mere fact that the domestic workers have minimal to no information on their rights and responsibilities and further had no idea where to access this information. In light of this, it makes it difficult for workers to have bargaining power surrounding their work standards as well as limits their level of participation at places of work. The study further revealed that social protection systems can play a twofold role in improving the labour conditions of domestic workers. In view of this, the study recommends that there is need to extending legal coverage. Legislation is an important first step towards ensuring better protection. Consequently, the study recommends that there is also the need to facilitate the payment of contributions and developing adequate financing mechanisms. To extend the legal framework, there may be need for inspections to assess the level of compliance at workplaces of these domestic workers.